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What initially began as an intimate mode of communication—poetry, bars, lyrics and song to express to his love the way she made him fell—soon became his means of life. As A#keem allowed his passion to spill onto paper; his smooth expressive voice resonating in the air around him; more and more, the feeling that this was his destiny began to set in.

Yet the Grenadian born songwriter, artiste and performer says it wasn’t until his three-year...

A society of writers & publishers, the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization of Music Rights (ECCO) is a Collective Management Organization (CMO) responsible for the administration of performance rights and the licensing of public use of music. Through reciprocal agreements with CMOs throughout the World, ECCO represents and can license virtually the whole worldwide repertoire of copyright music for public performance, broadcast, cable...

It all but consumed him. Day and night, sweet melodies replayed in his head. Over and over. Everything he saw, touched, felt and heard, evoked within him the need to craft his thoughts and feelings into beautiful lyrical masterpieces.  His fingers twitched to get it all out on paper. His lips buzzed to sing out loud the songs which radiated from his heart. As his need to create sweet music grew—to a point where it seemed to become even more...

Ah! The ever so important Business Plan! In our last post we delved into the importance of a Business Plan for Music Professionals, and provided you with a template—compliments the recently held Music Business Seminar in Barbados by ACCS, COSCAP and CDB—which you can utilize as you create your very own business plan.

Without doubt a business plan is vital to your music success and proves an essential tool which will assist you propel your...

“The annoying business side of music is where the creative person often becomes an ostrich with his head in the sand.” While the visual of Patrick Hess’ comment may cause a chuckle, it is indeed a reality that many creatives are not versed in the business aspects of their crafts. This is certainly a leading factor behind why several extremely talented music creatives are never able to obtain noteworthy financial success in their careers. The...

Unfortunately, when it comes to public use of music—despite the myriad of information on music copyright and intellectual property—there are still some who hold the view that public use of music should come at zero cost.

We recently came across a passionate debate on Facebook where a music creator sought to explain to one gentleman the justification for music creators being compensated by way of royalties when their copyright music is...

The Eastern Caribbean Collective Organization for Music Rights (ECCO) Inc is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Grace Richardson as ECCO Agent in St Kitts & Nevis with immediate effect.

As ECCO Agent, Richardson will handle the licensing of public use of music in St Kitts and Nevis; collection of music use data; and will also serve as the key point of contact for music users, advising them on effective music use.

Mr Steve Etienne,...

This week the Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS) in partnership with Barbados-based Copyright Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Incorporated (COSCAP) present the Fundamentals of the Business of Music Seminar.

The Seminar, which will initially be piloted in Barbados, will run from Wednesday June 29^th to Friday July 1^st, at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel; and forms part of ACCS’ Business of Music Seminar...

“Copyright enables you to make a living off your art,” says Dave Kusek, founder and former CEO of Berklee Online and founder of the New Artist Model online music business course. “When you write or record music you produce more than just a ‘song,’” Kusek expounds.  “You also get exclusive rights and no one else can perform actions protected by your rights unless you give them permission.”

Kusek goes on to state that there are two kinds of...

The 2016 general elections in St. Lucia heralds a new dawn in the relationship between political parties and the Eastern Caribbean Collective Organisation for Music Rights. Although ECCO has been established in St. Lucia since 2009, and prior to that ECCO’s predecessor was HMS (Hewanorra Musical Society), it has always been a challenge to get political parties to license their rallies, motorcades and other events where music is to be used....